Image Credit: @boringcompany / X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
Elon Musk’s The Boring Company (TBC) held an audio-only virtual town hall where dozens of community members submitted questions ahead of the online forum hosted by company president Steve Davis in an effort to ease concerns about construction on the Music City Loop.
Though construction on the 9.5- mile Music City Loop has just begun, TBC is already reportedly seeking approval to expand the project, proposing an additional two miles of tunnel under Broadway which would be separate from the Nashville International Airport Loop to the Capitol.
One of the biggest questions during the forum was why the company is looking to start on a new tunnel before completing its first, a query never satisfactorily answered by President Davis, according to local reporting.
Davis also reportedly stated the company is communicating with city officials, including members of the Metro Council, but at least five councilmembers say that is untrue.
“We understand that if this is a state-level project, we may not have the authority to intervene or even stop this project, but you could at least have a conversation with us so that we could represent our constituency who does not want this project,” said Councilmember Delishia Porterfield.
The Music City Loop project has not been received particularly well by citizens, scientists, and some lawmakers despite outspoken support from Gov. Bill Lee and other state leaders, and it seems TBC has hit a new speedbump in the project as a subcontractor has walked off the project, citing issues with receiving pay and poor communication from TBC.
Shane Trucking and Excavating had been responsible for all the preliminary work for TBC to begin tunneling, including preparing the platform and launch pad, but one of the owners said they have now ceased working on the project as they’ve only been paid in small increments on the full amount they are owed.
Shane Trucking also says it has not heard anything from TBC, and local media has also not gotten any responses from their inquiries to TBC about the matter.
Final designs are underway and several permits are still pending for the Music City Loop, but TBC has already begun moving heavy equipment into the area in preparation for the next phase of work, and a company spokesperson said the long-term goal is to build a system the city embraces and expands over time.
The Boring Company has posted a Frequently Asked Questions page online and plans to continue releasing blog posts to address public concern, which it seems the townhall may not have done very well.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
